By Jill Parker Landsman
The National Court Reporters Foundation’s (NCRF) Legacy Society offers members a thoughtful way to give back to their profession by making an estate plan that includes NCRF as a beneficiary. And now the process has been simplified.
To enable a simple online form to promise a legacy donation, NCRF Chair Doug Friend, FAPR, RDR, CRR (Ret.), asked Trustee Karen Tyler, RDR, CRR, CRC, to revamp and simplify the NCRF legacy donation process information on the NCRA website.
“Making a legacy donation to our Foundation offers a powerful way to support our profession and its future,” says Friend. “This generosity allows you to leave a lasting impact on NCRF and NCRA, ensuring our members’ continued success and long-term sustainability. This new online format makes the legacy pledge easier.”
Other great benefits of an NCRF legacy donation are the tax benefits to the estate for the donor and their beneficiaries. Such a donation will help make a difference in the lives of our members as the NCRF mission focuses on advancing our court reporting, CART captioning, and legal videography practitioners.
Former NCRF Chair Tami Keenan, FAPR, RPR, urges prospective legacy donors to keep their current legacies going. “No one likes to think of passing away, but we all will,” she said. “We also hope we’ll be remembered for certain things: Our love for others, our contributions to society, or maybe just our joie de vivre. That will be our legacy. Being part of NCRF’s Legacy Society enables us to be remembered for something else. Make NCRF part of your estate plan.”
NCRF Angel Gatherers Committee Member Melanie L. Humphrey-Sonntag, FAPR, RDR, CRR, CRC, is following in the footsteps of former court reporter role models.
“Court reporting has been the center of my life since I accidentally discovered it in high school,” said Humphrey-Sonntag. “I’m thrilled to know the Foundation is helping others enter and enjoy the profession, whether it’s a theory or exit-speed student, a midcareer professional, or those whispering the ‘retirement’ word.
“NCRF truly assists and accompanies everyone in our timeless profession, and I’m pleased to know some of my donations are helping others. In the immortal words of Forrest Brown Sr. many years ago, ‘Court reporting has been very good to me. The least I can do is give a little back.’ I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of the giants who helped pave my way, including Forrest,” she added.
Leaving an NCRF Legacy Society donation provides a sense of lasting impact, allowing donors to support the professional causes they have cared about during their career.
For assistance in making your NCRF Legacy pledge, visit the web page or contact Jill Parker Landsman, NCRF Manager, at jlandsman@ncra.org.
